JFK telling the crowd at New Ross that he was "happy to be back." (NLI, Independent Newspapers Collection)

Well-wishers in New Ross stretch out their hands towards JFK. (NLI)

Crowds gathered in front of the podium on the quay in New Ross. (NLI, Independent Newspapers Collection)

New Ross

27 June 1963

The morning after his arrival in Ireland, JFK travelled in his green and white helicopter to O’Kennedy Park in New Ross, Co Wexford. His Kennedy ancestors had emigrated from Wexford in the 19th century, and JFK had driven through New Ross on a previous visit.

A group of children sang “The Boys of Wexford” for him as he alighted from the helicopter, and JFK joined in enthusiastically. He was then driven to the quay at New Ross, where he made a speech to 10,000 people, from a specially erected podium beside the river. He told the cheering crowd that he was “glad to be here. It took 115 years to make this trip. And 6000 miles. And three generations. And I am proud to be here…when my great grandfather left here to become a cooper in East Boston, he carried nothing with him except two things: a strong religious faith and a strong desire for liberty.” Once the speech was over, JFK headed towards the crowd to meet and greet people, rather than going directly to the waiting car.